Global Warming: Fact or Fiction
This report will explore the topic of Global Warming in terms of fact or fiction surrounding the impact on the environment worldwide. The purpose of this report is to inform members of Congress about the two opposing viewpoints on this matter.
I. Background of Global Warming
A. Impetus for the subject
1. Arguments for the topic
2. Arguments against the topic
II. Discussion
A. Melting Glaciers
B. Unpredictable Weather
III. Conclusion I. Background of Global Warming
One of the most debated topics on Earth is the issue of climate change or Global Warming. Global Warming fist became a concern in the 19th century when the industrialized revolution first began. Scientist believe that the increase use of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused greenhouse gases, which in turn has affected our climate temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a national climatic data center, and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) are central to answering some of the most pressing global change questions that remain unresolved. A New York Times reporter said, “Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders [ (Global Warming & Climate Change, 2012) ]” The Natural Resources Defense Council says, “Climate change is the single biggest environmental and humanitarian crisis of our time [ (Global Warming, 2012) ].” In short, are we spending too much time, energy, and resources is assuring ourselves that global warming in deed an issue or is it merely a natural occurrence of nature in which we have become more aware of due to our increase in knowledge?
A. Impetus for the subject
1. Arguments for the topic
The NOAA has said that the climate has warmed in some areas and cooled in others and the global surface temperatures tied 2005 as the warmest on record. [ (Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions, 2012) ] Scientists feel that if we don’t reduce the emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, the rise in the average temperatures will have far reaching effects on weather patterns, health issues, wildlife, glaciers, and sea levels. [ (The Consequences of Global Warming, 2008) ]
According to the EPA, the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused the concentration of heat tapping “greenhouse gases” to increase significantly and these gases are preventing heat from escaping into space, much like the glass panels of a greenhouse. If greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2 to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the end of this century. Scientists are certain that human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate. But they are not sure by how much it will change, at what rate it will change, or what the exact effects will be. [ (The Consequences of Global Warming, 2008) ]
2. Arguments against the topic
The main argument of the issue of global warming is the lack of scientific evidence linking the emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity. British television producer Martin Durkin produced, The Great Global Warming Swindle (2007) in which he interviewed the scientist that was fist involved in the research of global warming as well as economists, politicians, and many others who are skeptical of the consensus of global warming. In this film evidence is shown that the earth is just going through natural changes which it has done for thousands of years and since the industrial revelation and increase in CO2 into the atmosphere, temperatures have actual deceased instead of increase. [ (Durkin, 2007) ]
II. Discussion
The debate on global warming being fact or fiction is in fact a debate on what exact factors contribute to the acceleration of the melting glaciers and the